The Hard Way

It's easier to fight than to pray. So let's pray.

By

Peggy Noonan

Updated April 12, 2002 11:59 p.m. ET

We can all remember when the Mideast was not a crisis but rather an unanswered question: How will they find peace? It was a place that in our lifetimes had not achieved amity and accord but was not always at war, at least not always in full, hot war.

But now everyone--literally everyone you read, hear, speak to--has the sense that events are accelerating toward some unknown outcome. And no one--no one--believes the outcome will be good. We are out of optimists and optimism. The scenarios floated are dire. "Watch...